Metal band or linkage



Oct. 18, 1932. c. H. KESTENMAN METAL BAND OR LINKAGE Filed Aug. 4, 1951 Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES H. KESTENMAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO KESTENMAN BROS. MFG. (30., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHOIJE ISLAND METAL BAND on LINKAGE Application filed August 4, 1931. Serial No. 555,002

This invention relates to improvements in flexible metal straps, bands or linkages for use in the manufacture of bracelets, chains, belts and other articles of jewelry or the like.

One object of the invention'is to provide an improved band or strap of the type specified having closely associated articulated links or chain-elements which are adapted to flex, one in relation'to another, in order that the strap or band may be bent into circular form.

' Another object of the invention is to p rovide an improved linkage of the type specitied in which the links or chain-elements are more closely and intimately connected to adapt them to be flexed without dislocation of the parts and without revealing unsightly joints or seams.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide an improved linkage of the'type specified having the sides of its links or chain-elements curved or rolled inwardly at the top to overlie and conceal the inner connecting-p links withthe latter securely held against skewing or displacement.

Another object of the invention is to so form and arrange the links as to simulate the appearance of a cord bracelet as usually constructed of looped bands or cords.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved linkage of the type specified in which the links are proof against breakage or accidental disconnection to render the article in which it is incorporated strong and durable in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved linkage of the type specified which may be manufactured from sheetmetal parts struck up in dies and assembled with a minimum of hand operations, and Without the use of solder, screws, pins, rivets or other extraneous parts liable to become loose and cause shackly joints.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which de scribes a preferred form of construction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing: v

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved metal strap, band or chain showingit bent or flexed in substantially circular form; a Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a series of the links of the strap, band or. chain with several of the outer links shown partly in section along their sides to illustrate the arrangement of the inner connecting-links en'- closed thereby; v

Fig. 3 is an edge view of a series of the links of the strap, band or ch ain'with several of the'same shown in section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; p

Fig. 4: is a cross-sectional view of the link agetaken on line 44 of'Fig. 2;

I Fig. 5 is a perspective viewof a partiallyformed outer link illustrating the manner in which the inner connecting-links are assembled therewith previous to the final forming of the sides of the outer links; and

Fig. ,6 is a perspective View similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the finished form of the outer link with its sides arched, or curled inwardly at the top in abutting relationship to permanently' connectthe inner links therewith.

The presentiinproved linkage,band or chain comprises, in general, a series of box-like outer links having bent-upprojections or fingers at their ends, andrectangularly-shaped connecting-links -of loop formation interengaged with the-fingers on the main links and covered by the sides and topjportions thereof, The outer links are constructed with relatively long side-flanges which are-bentaround in substantially semi-circular form in abutting relationship to form an arched top-closure for the box. The end cross-bars ofthe inner connecting links are held against the bottom of the box-links by the downwardly folded edges of its side-flanges. In addition to serving as a retaining means for the connecting-1 invention very closely resemble similar articles made of looped cords of leather, braid, wire mesh or other fabricated material, according to the prevailing mode.

Referring to the drawing, my improved strap, band or chain comprises a series of mainelementsor outer linkemembers 2 of box-like form, connected by 'loop-like inner connecting-links 10, the end cross-bars of which are secured within the main links in the manner-as'later-explained. The bo-x-like outer link-members 2-1n-ay be constructed from sheet-metal with'a flat bottom or base 4 having side-walls or flanges 5 bent'upwardly therefrom at right angles. Ateach. end of the base 4 is an upstanding finger or lug 6 of "considerably less length than the side walls. The-fingers or-lugs 6 serve the purpose of in terengaging with the end cross-bars of the connecting-links 10 to be later described. Referring to Fig. 5 of the drawing, the main links 2 may be stamped from sheet-metal stock and bent .into the form as illustrated in this 'view. by. a single stamping and'bending operation performed in dies.

Theconnecting-links 10 may be stamped from sheet-metal stock in the form of rectangular loops withrtheir sides and end-bars of square cross-section. If preferred, however, the 'connecting-linksmay be made of-either rounder square wire bent into a closed loop. With the main links 2 preformed to the shape illustrated in Fig. 5, they are assembled with the connect-ing linkslO in the manner as next explained. The connecting-links 10 are looped overtheend-fingers or lugs 6 of'adjacent box-links 2 as shown in Fig. 5 with their end-bars 11 resting on the base 4 of the main link2 :and'their side-bars 12 straddling the fingers. In this arrangementthe sidebars .12 i of the connecting-links fit rather snugly betweenthe side-flanges 5 of the main link 2 and the ends of the fingers G te avoid unnecessary side-play therebetween.

WVhen the connecting-links 10 have been positioned within the box-link 2in the man- .ner as-above explained the upwardly pro- ;jectingrside-flanges 5 thereof are looped or .archedthereover in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 6. It will be observed by "reference to-thislatter view that the side-flanges 5 form a bifurcated top wall for the box with their ends ifolded inwardly in abutting relationship.

The ends of the flanges 5 are thus directed downwardly against'the upper edges of the end-fingers 6to substantially close the ends of the box and retain the end-bars 11 of the connecting-links 10 therewithin. With a pair of connecting-links thus connected to a main link their projecting ends are placed over the-"end-flngers 6- of the next adjacent boX- links 2 in the series and secured therein in the manner as above explained. The assembling operation may be contlnued 111 this manner until a band or linkage of the required length is formed; or in other cases the intermediate connecting-links may all be placed in connection with a series of boxlinks as a first step, and therafter the sides of the boXlinks may be finally bent or formed into arch-shape by a single operation in a forming die.

In order to ,provide the desired flexibility of the band or bracelet, a slight clearance is allowed between each pair of adjacent connecting-links 10in the series. tisalsoto be :noted'that the end-fingers-G o f- 'the' main links 2 project slightly above the top of the connectin'g 'links'lO to provide a clearance whereby the adjacent.box-links may be flexed or inclined with respect to each other to permit the bending'of the band or bracelet into substantially circular form as shown in Fig. 1. It is desirable, however, to have the clearancesslight so that the spacing of the boxlinks 2 is relatively close to conceal the inner connecting-links 10 from view. The projecting ends of the inner links 10 at the ends of the strap or band may be suitably oinedto a clasp or other device for securing the ends together or for attachment to the bails of a wrist-watch.

It will observed from the foregoing that the present improvement provides a particularly neat and simple structure of linkage adapted for use as a strap, band or bracelet, or for incorporation into a girdle, chain or other article of jewelry or adornment. The elements of the linkage being constructed from sheet-metal stampings and formed in dies provide for economy in the cost of manufacture. Moreover, the elimination of pins, rivets. screws and solder makes for easy assembling of the link-elements and therefore further reduces the cost. The arched portions on the top of the main links provide a par- :ticularly strong and durable structure and reduce the liability of damage to or dislocation of the parts. At the same time, the improved structure provides for close association of the links to avoid unsightly joints or seams between the parts.

As a further feature of improvement, the arching of the top of the box-links gives the ,rticle'a more pleasing artistic efiect, simuating the appearance of a doublestrip metal oop or cord. At the same time it effects an mprovement over previously used cord straps or bands in that the article is more sturdy and durable in use without danger of stretching or breaking. 7

While I have herein shown .a preferred form of construction of the linkage, it is to be understood that modification maybe made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself to the exact construction shown, I claim: i

1. A linkage of. he type specified comprising substantially boX-like link-elements having upstanding sides and lugs at their ends, and connecting-links in looped engagement with the lugs on adjacent box-links and held in connection therewith by the sides of the box-links bent inwardly to form arched portions meeting in a medial plane with their ends abutting the top of the lugs.

2. A linkage for the purposes specified comprising a series of substantially box-like link-elements each having a bottom, upstanding sides and lugs at its ends, said sides being bent to form arches over the topfof the link with their ends adjacent each other and resting upon the top edge of the end-lugs, and connecting-links looped around the lugs on adjacent box-links and held in place by the arched sides thereof.

3. An improved band or linkage comprising a series of substantially box-like linkelements each having a bottom, upstanding sides, and lugs at its ends, the terminal portions of the sides being arched part way across the top of the link with their edges inturned and adjacent in overlying relation to.

the top of the end-lugs, and connecting-links looped around the lugs of adjacent box-links and held in connection therewith by the arched sides thereof.

4. An improved band or linkage compris ing a plurality of outer link-elements, each having a bottom, opposite sides and lugs at its ends, the sides of said links being continued in arched portions extending part way across the top of the links with their ends meeting and substantially engaging the top of the end-lugs, and connecting-links looped around the lugs of adjacent outer links to couple them together in substantially abutting relationship with the connectinglinks entirely enclosed and concealed within the outer links.

5. An improved band or linkage comprising a plurality of outer link-elements formed from sheet-metal stock with a bottom, upstanding lugs at the ends thereof and sides bent upwardly from the bottom and curved inwardly in bifurcated contour to form links are in connected relationship, and.

means projecting from the end of each link to engage the lug on an adjacent link to maintain said links in connected relationship, said means being held in engagement with the lugs'by the inturned edges of the arched por- "i tions of the links abutting thereagainst. I

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

CHARLES KESTENMAN.

arches overlying the top of the links with their ends adjacent and in close association with the top of the end-lugs, and substan-' connecting-links tially flat rectangular looped around the lugs on adjacent outer links to couple them together in close articulated relationship with said connecting-links enclose-d within and concealed by the arched sides of the outer links.

6. A band or linkage comprising a series I of link-elements each having a bottom, up standing sides, and a lug at its end, the ter- 

